Data on Number of Workers from China Recruited for Construction Industry Following Relaxation of Measures and Average Monthly Outflow of Migrant Workers in Construction Sector
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the recruitment of construction workers from China and the monthly outflow of migrant workers from the sector. MP Melvin Yong Yik Chye inquired about recruitment figures since May 2021 and strategies to address the acute manpower shortage. Minister for National Development Desmond Lee reported that about 600 PRC workers entered after certification rules were eased, while the sector saw a monthly net outflow of 1,900 workers. He noted that the government is exercising flexibility for firms to retain workers and exploring extending certification waivers to other source countries. Additionally, an Alliance for Action pilot is testing a stringent 14-day pre-departure testing regime for workers from India to facilitate safe entry.
Transcript
45 Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for National Development (a) how many workers from the People’s Republic of China have entered Singapore to join our construction industry since May 2021 following the relaxation of measures for construction companies to recruit workers from China; (b) what is the average monthly outflow of migrant workers in the construction sector who have decided to return home since April 2020; and (c) what more can be done to stem the acute shortage of manpower that the construction sector faces.
Mr Desmond Lee: BCA has worked with MOM to temporarily allow new construction Work Permit Holders (WPHs) from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to obtain their skills certification in Singapore instead of at Overseas Testing Centres (OTCs) in the PRC, from 7 May 2021 until the end of this year. Thus far, about 600 new PRC workers have entered Singapore to work in our construction industry.
The average net outflow of migrant workers in the construction industry from April 2020 to June 2021 was about 1,900 workers per month. The Government is working closely with the industry to mitigate the impact of the ongoing manpower crunch. In addition to facilitating the entry of new workers from PRC, MOM has been exercising greater flexibility for firms to retain their existing WPHs. It is also looking into extending the temporary flexibility granted to PRC construction WPHs to obtain their skills certification in Singapore, to workers from other sources.
The construction industry has also recently adopted an Alliance for Action (AfA) approach to bring in migrant workers safely, in partnership with our agencies. This pilot comprises a tightened end-to-end process, involving protocols such as a stringent COVID-19 testing regime for workers over a 14-day period at dedicated facilities in source countries before they depart for Singapore, to minimise the risk of importing COVID-19 cases. The pilot started with a small number of migrant workers from India and we will explore scaling up the process in a sustainable manner if the pilot is successful.